Container assembly

Abstract

A container assembly includes exterior storage recesses or other accommodating spaces or members into which one or more cartridges may be removably inserted for the storage of chemical compounds. In various embodiments, one or more storage containers may contain a liquid and a solid component or a crystalline or powder and a solid component to be mixed in an interior of the container body, for example with water or other liquid, to form an activated compound. That compound or solution may be or include a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, fuel mixture, cleaner, or other end product. The storage cartridges containing the ingredients may be configured to threadedly engage an outer cap which attaches to an opening in the container body. The outer cap and the threads of the ingredient-storing compartments may be counter threaded, so that when the outer cap is attached to the attachment opening of the container body, the storage compartments detach and drop into the interior of the container, releasing the ingredients for mixture and use. The separation of potentially volatile ingredients improves the shelf life of pesticides and other end product or solutions.

1. A container assembly comprising:
 a container having a hollow interior, the container comprising an attachment opening and a threaded neck surrounding the attachment opening, the threaded neck comprising an outer surface and threads on the outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one catch protruding from the inner surface; 
 at least one cartridge comprising a cap and at least one detachable storage compartment threadedly engaging the cap, the cap comprising
 an inner surface and threads on the inner surface that releasably engage the threads on the outer surface of the threaded neck, and 
 a cylindrical protrusion comprising an outer surface and threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical protrusion, 
 the at least one detachable storage compartment comprising 
 an inner surface and threads that releasably engage the threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical protrusion, and 
 an outer surface comprising at least one outwardly protruding rib that engages the catch; 
 
 wherein the at least one detachable storage compartment comprises at least one liquid-containing compartment which further includes liquid and at least one solid-containing compartment which further includes a solid, wherein the at least one liquid-containing compartment and the at least one solid-containing compartment and the liquid-containing compartment being fluidly separated from the at least one solid-containing compartment; and 
 wherein, upon engagement of the threads on the inner surface of the cap with the threads on the outer surface of the threaded neck, the at least one outwardly protruding rib of the at least one detachable storage compartment catches the catch of the threaded neck, thereby threadedly disengaging the at least one detachable storage compartment from the threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical protrusion of the cap, detaching the at least one detachable storage compartment from the cap of the at least one cartridge to release the at least one detachable storage compartment into the hollow interior of the container, and the solid-containing compartment comprises a perforated grill or a liquid-permeable layer adapted to expose the solid material contained in the solid-containing compartment to a fluid when present in the hollow interior of the container. 
 
     
     
       2. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detachable storage compartment detaches completely from the at least one cartridge upon engagement of the at least one cartridge with the attachment opening. 
     
     
       3. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detachable storage compartment comprises a retaining member which remains connected to the at least one cartridge upon detachment of the at least one detachable storage compartment from the cap of the at least one cartridge. 
     
     
       4. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid-containing compartment releases a liquid into the interior of the container upon detachment of the at least one detachable storage compartment into the interior of the container. 
     
     
       5. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the solid-containing compartment comprises the perforated grill exposing a solid material contained in the solid-containing compartment to a fluid in the interior of the container. 
     
     
       6. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threads on the inner surface of the cap and the threads on the outer surface of the threaded neck are counter-threaded. 
     
     
       7. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detachable storage compartment contains a material that is activatable against pests. 
     
     
       8. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid-containing compartment is fluidly separated from the solid-containing compartment by an impermeable bottom floor of the liquid-containing compartment. 
     
     
       9. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the least one outwardly protruding rib that engages the catch is formed on an outer surface of the liquid-containing compartment. 
     
     
       10. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a pump-action detachable nozzle or spout engaged to the container, and the hollow interior is at least partially fillable with liquid. 
     
     
       11. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is an oil, acid, solvent, or aqueous solution. 
     
     
       12. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is a surfactant, emulsifier, sticker, pesticide, microbicide, herbicide, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the solid is a powder, tablet, pellet, granule, flake, crystal, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       14. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein solid is a surfactant, emulsifier, sticker, pesticide, microbicide, herbicide, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein solid comprises a pesticide and the liquid is oil, surfactant, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       16. The container assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the pesticide is azadirachtin A.